KPK Reveals Contents of Envelope Returned by Forestry Minister Raja Juli: SGD 12,000

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized money believed to be part of the contents of an envelope returned by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni to Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby. The amount was SGD 12,000, or approximately Rp 168 million. “Yes, for the time being, that is the amount secured by the investigation. Whether that is the money that was allegedly given by the Regent or the recipient will be part of the ongoing investigation. We will certainly conduct additional examinations to strengthen the facts regarding how the payment was made. We will just wait for the developments,” said KPK Acting Director of Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Thursday (9/7/2026). The money was seized by the KPK during the examination of Kuansing Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Speaker Juprizal as a witness. The KPK has not yet explained why the money was in Juprizal’s possession. Nevertheless, the KPK stated that Juprizal is suspected of knowing that Suhardiman collected money from Village Unit Cooperatives (KUD) for forest conversion matters. “There are actually many things that investigators still need to explore. Who placed the envelope, what the meetings were like, we will wait for the developments as the process is still ongoing. The team is also still in the field to confirm the meetings and the amounts in the envelopes, the amount collected from farmers and the surplus from business operations, and how it was converted into SGD. That is material currently being investigated,” he said. Previously, Suhardiman Amby was named a bribery suspect. Suhardiman is suspected of accepting a bribe in the form of a Toyota Land Cruiser worth Rp 2 billion to appoint Zulkarnain as Regional Secretary. The KPK also revealed that Suhardiman had previously received a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport from Zulkarnain while serving as Acting Regent. Suhardiman became Acting Regent of Kuansing after the then-regent Andi Putra was caught in a sting operation in 2021. A total of three people have been named as suspects: 1. Suhardiman Amby, Regent of Kuansing; 2. Zulkarnain, Regional Secretary of Kuansing; 3. Ardiles, President Director of PT MIC. The KPK stated there are allegations of other receipts by Suhardiman. The KPK suspects Suhardiman received money from several Village Unit Cooperatives whose members are farmers to process forest conversion permits. The conversion permit authority lies with the Ministry of Forestry, while the regional government has authority over technical recommendations. Raja Juli later spoke out regarding his meeting with Suhardiman Amby on 2 June 2026. Raja Juli explained it was an open audience meeting. “My first clarification is that it is true that on 2 June 2026, there was an audience with the Regent of Kuansing in this office. This was an open audience; the regent sent an official letter, it was published on my and the ministry’s social media, and there was an attendance list and minutes. So if at any time the KPK requires it, or we will even proactively submit what I have mentioned,” Raja Juli told reporters at the Ministry of Forestry office in Central Jakarta on Friday (3/7). Raja Juli recounted that Suhardiman left an envelope covered by a folder in his office after the audience. Raja Juli then asked his aide-de-camp to immediately return the envelope. “During the audience, it turned out that the Regent of Kuansing left an envelope covered by a folder. When he left, I only just realised, and I immediately asked my aide to return the envelope. I did not know what was inside, but I felt I had no right to the envelope, and I asked my aide to return it,” he said. According to Raja Juli, the aide then returned the envelope at the Kuantan Singingi Police Station on 12 June 2026, 17 days before Suhardiman was caught in a sting operation. Raja Juli also showed reporters a receipt and photos of the meeting where the envelope was returned. “I personally called the Riau Regional Police Chief to help facilitate my aide meeting the Regent of Kuantan Singingi at the Kuantan Singingi Police Chief’s office. So on the 12th, everyone, Friday the 12th, about 17 days before the sting operation, my aide had already returned the white envelope to the Regent of Kuantan Singingi. There is a receipt, there are photos. I will show you the originals. Here is the receipt, dated 12 June at 14:57 WIB,” said the PSI Secretary-General. Raja Juli subsequently reported the gratuity to the KPK after acknowledging the return of the envelope on Friday (3/7). Raja Juli’s move drew surprise from members of the House of Representatives because suspected gratuities should be reported directly to the KPK. “The official concerned should have handed it over to the KPK within 30 days. There is a grace period, and it should be to the KPK, not to the person concerned. Therefore, this certainly needs clarification,” said member of House Commission IV, Firman Soebagyo. The KPK stated it will first analyse Raja Juli’s report. The KPK noted that returning the money does not eliminate the criminal element.